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: 23 May 2016; Hits: 6532

KEPHIS and county governments bring export eduction to farmers' doorsteps

Fresh produce farmers in Kenya intending to export are now getting information on what is required of them by receiving countries, thanks to briefing programmes initiated by county governments in conjunction with the Kenya Plant Health Inspection Unit (KEPHIS).

This initiative comes on the backdrop of a report by FAO dubbed ‘challenges and opportunities to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers’, which cited lack of information on export market as major barrier that hinders smallholder farmers from accessing this rich market.

The plant health inspection body for instance recently held a farmers’ field day and sensitization forum to inform, and educate mango farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County on the importance of using the fruit fly trap to eradicate the mango fruit fly, thereby enhancing market access to the key European Union (EU). The event which was attended by the area governor Eng. Alex Tolgos also saw the launch of fruit fly trap, saving local mango farmers from perennial losses brought about by the pest. Mangoes are grown in at least 518 hectares in the county, 24,285 tonnes per year valued at almost Sh400m.

Similar programs have been conducted in Kirinyaga County where local farmers were taken through French beans health and quality standard requirements for various importing blocks. Such information act as a marking tool for farmers to ensure that their produce meets all required standards set by export market like maturity, toxicity and required variety.

According to Josiah Syanda, Officer In-Charge of Plant Inspection Unit at KEPHIS, they are ready to take through either individual farmers or county governments through various regulations set by various importers on any given fresh produce.
Four years ago, KEPHIS launched Electronic Certification System (ECS), a digital system that allow fresh produce exporters to electronically key in details of their goods for online clearance and certification by relevant government agencies. The information keyed in is used across multiple clearing agencies, hence efficiency.

The ECS replaced the tedious manual process where the farmers were forced to repeatedly document details of their goods across multiple agencies. The system which can only be accessed by registered KEPHIS exporters by logging in using their respective credentials has also most information about export regulations for various countries across the globe. A registered fresh produce exporting company is required to register with KEPHIS in order to obtain ECS account.

Tags: KEPHIS, Syanda, ecs

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: 23 May 2016; Hits: 6181

Kinango residents at a good place even after marauding rains

The El Nino rains have caused havoc in most parts of the country, but the people of Kinango are thanking the skies because of the water security they have brought them.

After a few weeks of heavy rainfall, 750,000m3 of water is now sitting in a dam that was built through a KSh208m partnership between the Kenya Red Cross and the County Governement of Kwale, with the water in it being enough to serve the community for two seasons.

Using the water for irrigation promises a reduction in food insecurity to the usually-drought stricken communities of Kinango Sub- County.

In addition, the project has increased access to safe water supply and sanitation facilities for over 10,000 beneficiaries.

As of Wednesday November 1, 2015 residents were out fishing in the dam, with others busy tending to the 105 acres of farmlands already under drip irrigation.

14.6 tonnes of spinach, 693 Kgs of butternut and 20.7 tonnes of watermelon have been harvested so far and sold at various markets within Ukunda and Mombasa. 10 tonnes of butternut are also in storage awaiting marketing.

Over the last 10 years, the Kenya Red Cross has shifted focus to food security projects in various communities around the country to improve availability, access and utilization of food.The organisation is currently implementing integrated food security and livelihood projects which focus on empowering local residents and farmers.

Tags: Kinango, Red Cross

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: 23 May 2016; Hits: 6203

Kenya to adopt paperless clearing system in fresh produce market, bringing efficiency and foreign currency faster

Kenya is currently piloting paperless fresh produce export transactions with the Netherlands, making it the only country in Africa and among nine in the World to use such a system. This move is expected to increase efficiency and help cut operation costs at a time when the country is struggling to seal a wide trade deficit that has sent its economy into jeopardy.

This initiative, which is championed nationally by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and Globally by the International Plant Protection Convention, will see virtual clearance of fresh produce exports and imports, easing clearing pressure for highly perishable goods. With this technique, foreign governments will pre-clear exported fresh produce as soon as the Kenya government gives it the clear.

Upon inspection, KEPHIS issues a plant health certificate (a Phytosanitary certificate) to be used as the plant passport to the country of import. The certificate is an assurance to the importing country that indeed, good being brought in from Kenya has met the required import conditions.

KEPHIS issues more than 250,000 certificates annually. The process of printing, verification and other manual processes are tedious, time consuming and expensive. KEPHIS, therefore, initiated the ePhyto system as a way of increasing efficiency as well as reducing costs in service delivery.

Syanda hailed the planned paperless system saying that through it, goods will be cleared in advance hence smooth operations in the time conscious fresh produce export and import market. "Paperless systems are not only efficient but also cost effective, and green,’’ he said.

This initiative comes hot on heels of a recent report by FAO that shows that close to 37 per cent of vegetables and fruits go bad before reaching the market in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean due to poor logistic chain made worse by bureaucratic clearing agencies.

The report recommended for swift logistics and cargo clearing techniques to ensure fresh produce reach the market much faster to shield farmers from losses.

Tags: KEPHIS, Syanda

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